Legendary Basketball Tycoon

The reason why Payton agreed to return to the Sonics under such harsh conditions stems from his love for Seattle. Of course, the reason why Payton did not retire in his previous life was because the Sonics was moved to Oklahoma City. He said it himself. To retire the jersey must not go to other cities in Seattle to retire his jersey, even if the Sonics is the original Thunder.

Feelings for Seattle like this are not something everyone can do. At least there are rarely players like Payton among NBA superstars. He only loves that city, and is fearless even if he discards his honor for that city. Why don't you love the players!

Bruce doesn't doubt Peyton's love for Seattle, but it's really amazing to be able to make things happen for Seattle. After all, Peyton went to other cities to play basketball, he didn’t need to be the second master. Besides, this time the supersonic one is the former boss and the other is the current boss. Isn’t it awkward to meet? The rabbits don’t even eat grass. Too!

Bruce was convinced anyway, and he was absolutely convinced by Payton.

Of course, Payton must be asked to return to Seattle, that is, he will not train during the non-match period. This was originally done when George Carr was in charge of the Supersonics. Now he is still back. Keep doing this, even if the head coach is replaced by Larry Brown, after all, some people's habits are impossible to change. Payton is such a person.

He can be the second master, so the team accepts some of their shortcomings and always talks about the past, and can't compromise everything by themselves.

In addition, the latter salary must be increased. As for the degree of increase, it depends on the attitude of the Supersonics to him. Anyway, his 99-year contract expires, and he is not satisfied with the renewal of the contract. If that happens, he can still leave Seattle again freely.

Payton actually didn’t want to leave Seattle, especially when he came back again, he knew he was obsessed with the city. In short, Payton knew that he came back this time mainly to see if he could coexist with Iverson. If he could, then he He is very willing to live in Seattle. If he leaves again, it is definitely the team that forced him to leave. There are many reasons such as a discord with Iverson or the team's contract with the price of cabbage to let him renew or something.

Even Bruce heard the conditions put forward by Payton felt very appropriate. After all, they also compromised, right? For such a meritorious player who has made a huge contribution to the team, Payton is considered a very good player. , At least people don’t forget their roots.

It's a pity that Payton is a supersonic person. With a stinky mouth and untrained attitude, Bruce dare not let him enter the Han people. He is afraid that he will ruin Kobe. In addition, Payton's salary must be very high. It was not given by a poor boss like him.

But generally speaking, it’s not a big problem. Payton’s deal has been put on the agenda, and he will wait for the trade to be done after the 1997 draft, but the question is again, what kind of player can be exchanged for. Back to Seattle, you know that Payton exchanged Iverson for the No. 1 pick last year, and now is it necessary to trade Iverson to the 76ers, which is obviously impossible, but the SuperSonics has a bargaining chip. It's pretty good, but it's a bit more pressure to change Payton alone.

From Paul Allen's words, Bruce learned that the 76ers boss Leslie Alexander was the stingy mosaic boss in the past life, but he was blocked by Bruce in this life and became the 76ers boss.

Leslie Alexander is quite supportive of Payton’s return to Seattle. There is no way he does not support it. Just look at Payton’s salary in 1996. It’s $10.21 million, which makes Leslie Alexander the stingy boss. Why did you receive it? Payton’s salary for a player occupies almost half of the 76ers’ salary cap, and what is Payton’s salary next year? The increase of $10.51 million is not too much, but it is definitely Leslie Alexander. This stingy owner can bear it. You have to know that not only Payton’s salary is growing, but the other players in the 76ers are also growing. He can afford to lose, so it’s important to trade Payton to the team. Freeing up salary space is in favor of raising both hands.

Of course, this must also be a good chip from the Sonics before they can trade Payton back to Seattle, otherwise, who is not the trader, the chips are attractive enough, no matter which team it is.

At this point, Paul Allen is really troubled. After understanding Leslie Alexander's so-called "bargaining chip", Paul Allen already wanted to let Bruce give advice.

What Leslie Alexander wants, there is no doubt that the point guard must be one of the bargaining chips. After Payton is gone, he must give the 76ers a suitable point guard to say the past, right, even if it is a substitute. As long as the strength is enough, that's okay.

In terms of point guards, the Sonics can still come out. Terry Porter is already at the end of his career. In addition to injuries, he has come to the door over the years, and his strength has fallen a lot. But if he goes to the 76ers as a substitute, there is basically no problem.

The most troublesome thing for Paul Allen is that Leslie Alexander wants a draft pick, one Payton for a point guard + the two first-round picks are not expensive, right, in Leslie Alexander’s view, Payton does. This value is also in line with the laws of the market.

But in the Supersonics, you obviously don’t look at it that way. You must know that even if the Supersonics are given a point guard + two first-round picks, they will definitely not meet the requirements of Leslie Alexander, who is behind Leslie Alexander The two first-round signings are at least lottery-level signings, and they must be after 1998, which stunned Paul Allen.

You must know that the SuperSonics under Iverson's leadership, even if they often play at least the bottom of the next season, they will be the first-round and late-round picks, which simply cannot meet the requirements of the two lottery picks mentioned by Leslie Alexander.

But if you can't get it out, then Payton will definitely not be able to return to Seattle for the time being, and it will definitely have an impact on the future goals of the Supersonics.

Of course, Paul Allen also considered replacing the players on the team with other teams. Anyway, as long as the first round of unprotected picks is given at that time, it will be OK, but the key is to trade. Who? The deal has always been planned by Bruce behind the scenes. Supersonic general manager Bob Whitchite is actually just like Han Chinese general manager Mitch Kupchak, he belongs to the "trader". "The ranks, if they really let them trade, they might trade back some rubbish.

So Paul Allen called the Bruce this time in addition to reporting the letter and asking him to continue to help the Sonics with advice and to see how he can trade back the first round of unprotected picks from other teams.

At this point Paul Allen only believed in Bruce.